John and Genie Gonzales del Solar are moving their guitar and ukulele shop. Photos and video by Michael Thompson.
A Fan music shop has expanded its range.
Fan Guitar and Ukulele is moving up the street and will reopen this week at 1215 W. Main St.
Owners John and Genie Gonzalez del Solar have operated the shop since 2012 at 1308 W. Main St. The last day at the original space was March 7.
John Gonzalez del Solar said the new storefront is about 1,300 square feet, more than twice the size of the old space.
He said the business outgrew its current space more than a year ago.
“It’s just become too crowded in here,” he said. “I’ll have 10 to 15 repairs in the queue and nowhere to put them.”
Gonzalez del Solar said he has been wanting to move the business but didn’t want to stray too far from the original location and confuse customers.
The owners finally found the new space, which was formerly home to Richmond Vintage.
“We felt like we had to jump on it,” Gonzalez del Solar said.
The business had been on a year-to-year lease at its old spot, but Gonzalez de Solar said he felt confident signing a three-year lease on the new space.
The expansion will cost the business about $4,000, Gonzalez del Solar said. Plans for the new space include two music lesson rooms, a work space for repairs and a sales floor.
Fan Guitar and Ukulele has two part-time employees and four music teachers. Gonzalez del Solar said he plans to hire another repair worker and add more teachers, as well as expand the shop’s inventory of new and used instruments.
The shop sells ukuleles, electronic and acoustic guitars, banjos, mandolins and music accessories.
“The uke is certainly our bread and better,” Gonzalez del Solar said. “The uke is somewhat in vogue, though I don’t think it’s a novelty – I think it’s here to stay.”
John and Genie Gonzales del Solar are moving their guitar and ukulele shop. Photos and video by Michael Thompson.
A Fan music shop has expanded its range.
Fan Guitar and Ukulele is moving up the street and will reopen this week at 1215 W. Main St.
Owners John and Genie Gonzalez del Solar have operated the shop since 2012 at 1308 W. Main St. The last day at the original space was March 7.
John Gonzalez del Solar said the new storefront is about 1,300 square feet, more than twice the size of the old space.
He said the business outgrew its current space more than a year ago.
“It’s just become too crowded in here,” he said. “I’ll have 10 to 15 repairs in the queue and nowhere to put them.”
Gonzalez del Solar said he has been wanting to move the business but didn’t want to stray too far from the original location and confuse customers.
The owners finally found the new space, which was formerly home to Richmond Vintage.
“We felt like we had to jump on it,” Gonzalez del Solar said.
The business had been on a year-to-year lease at its old spot, but Gonzalez de Solar said he felt confident signing a three-year lease on the new space.
The expansion will cost the business about $4,000, Gonzalez del Solar said. Plans for the new space include two music lesson rooms, a work space for repairs and a sales floor.
Fan Guitar and Ukulele has two part-time employees and four music teachers. Gonzalez del Solar said he plans to hire another repair worker and add more teachers, as well as expand the shop’s inventory of new and used instruments.
The shop sells ukuleles, electronic and acoustic guitars, banjos, mandolins and music accessories.
“The uke is certainly our bread and better,” Gonzalez del Solar said. “The uke is somewhat in vogue, though I don’t think it’s a novelty – I think it’s here to stay.”